Reviews

I just loved this book! Appalachia settings and characters are so intriguing to me because I hear about "those ways" from family and from the area that I live in. This book focuses more on the mother and daughters of the story and thier bond. Mothers will do anything for their children! The plot flowed very well with so much descriptive dialogue. Appalachia sayings are things I still here today but this book had so many more I wish I wrote them all down. The ending was exciting and unexpected!

kathythelibraryteacher's review against another edition

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5.0

I’m a rural Southerner, a librarian, and a lover of the mountains. This was a charming story of the grit and determination of a community, especially of women, surviving the Depression and an evil man who threatened their community. There’s a reason why women in our region are labeled “half bear, half cat, wild as a mink, and sweet as soda pop.”

susanp's review

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4.0

Set in Appalachia of the mid-1930s, Light to the Hills is a story of poverty, illiteracy, coal miners, ignorance, and strong women. While I didn’t think it was as good as The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, another excellent book about the Pack Horse Library Program, it was a very satisfying read. (It was also a Kindle First Reads for November 2022 selection.)

stefgibmc's review against another edition

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3.0

“A mama’s heart is a wonder, able to hold an endless measure of love, hope, sadness, and rage all at the same time.”

As a mom, much of this one hit home. Unfortunately, I feel like I’ve read this same story a dozen times. The only bit, which will haunt me, was that brief moment of them pulling a tapeworm from little Hiccup’s nose with milk. Was I supposed to just nod through that and move along?

Anyway, strong historical references and felt genuine. It’s heavy for being as short as it is.

mynameiskellie's review

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4.0

4⭐️’s. A touching and exciting story of life in Appalachia. The characters in this novel were easy to like and their stories were down to earth and true. The underlying love story kept the story somewhat light, but the theme of mountain justice and how difficult living in this area were the heart of the narrative. Descriptive, touching, tough and heartfelt.

gracethruchaos's review

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3.0

I wanted to like this more but I’ve read better books about the book woman who rode and brought books to impoverished people. I found myself not wanting to read it, it just wasn’t engaging to keep me reading.

55_sallymander's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

5 stars, A Beloved Book Woman

LIGHT TO THE HILLS
by Bonnie Blaylock

If you had asked me at the 1/2 way point, what kind of a star rating would I give this book, I would have said less than a 5 star rating. The antagonist in the book was just a little too evil for me. It all worked out, so I feel able to freely give a 5 star rating. Does that say a lot about the author, if the antagonist makes me want to throw the book or at least not finish reading it?

This follows a book woman around her book routes and through her life, as a young woman, widow, friend, daughter, and mother. I liked Amanda, Finn, Sass, Cricket, Rai, Harley, and Mooney, especially well.

I will read this book again and again, but maybe not for awhile, I really couldn't stand the bad guy!

#LakeUnionPublishing #LightToTheHills #BookWoman #PackHorseLibrarian #Family #Love #Children #Crooks

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